(ANSA) - Luxury goods fanatics in the United States will soon find a new 'must buy' article in jewelry shops: Italian cashmere sheets.
The sheets are already on sale in 12 jewelry shops in Italy and on December 21 they will go on sale in a jewelry shop in Aspen, Colorado, and then on January 16 in a shop in Japan.
The cashmere sheets were patented last April by the Manrico firm here in Perugia and first went on sale in September.
Manrico hopes to have to have a outlet network of 55 jewelry shops around the world by the end of next year.
The company has already sold some 500 double-bed sets which retail at between 3,500 and 3,900 euros each, depending
on whether they are all cashmere or a mix 70% cashmere and 30% silk.
According to company chief Manrico Calzoni, cashmere sheets are only being sold in jewelry stores "because we consider our sheets to be a textile jewel. Thus it was appropriate that it be sold with objects on the same level".
Calzoni explained that jewelry shops were also an excellent sales venue because of the confidence which exists between the customer and shop operator.
"This is a necessary rapport in consideration of the important sums being invested. We believe our natural clients will be women, who consider jewels to be a point of reference," Calzoni added.
The double-bed sets come in different colors "although the favorites appear to be classic white or brown. However, we are able to make them in any color of the rainbow and even in black".
Manrico employs 150 people in hits plant here and has an annual turnover of some 12 million euros.
It specialises in cashmere products which are sued for upholstery, curtains, clothing and decorations.
